Newsgroups: alt.activism,misc.headlines
From: [d--v--d] at [tms390.micro.ti.com] (David Thomas)
Subject: Re: Waco aflame
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1993 19:21:02 GMT

Watching the *live* coverage at about 12:00 CDT Monday, it appeared 
that the fire started and spread from a single point.  The tank, which
had been poking holes with its ram all morning, had backed itself
through the wall and went halfway inside the building, then when it 
came out, pulled an eight foot section of the wall with it.

I think that it is likely that the exhaust from the tank came in contact 
with the contents of the room, upholstery, curtains, papers, bedding or
whatever, and ignited the fire.  As soon as the first tongue of flame
was visible, it was obvious, even to me, that the whole structure was 
going to go.  No gasoline necessary.  Fanned by 35 mph winds, the flimsy 
plywood buildings simply went up like kindling.  I don't believe that 
the fire was intentionally set by anyone.

When replaying their videotape, the television networks love to show 
the explosion fifteen minutes later, but this confuses causes and
effects.  I think the incidents in the five minutes leading up to
the start of the fire are the most significant and deserve greater
scrutiny.
-- 
David Thomas  Texas Instruments  ([d--v--d] at [wotangate.sc.ti.com])  (713)-274-2347